Solano County - CEQA Notices

California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)

The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) applies to all discretionary projects proposed to be conducted or approved by a California public agency, including private projects requiring discretionary government approval. CEQA helps to guide the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) during issuance of permits and approval of projects.

Purpose

The purpose of CEQA is to:

• Disclose to the public the significant environmental effects of a proposed discretionary project, through the preparation of an Initial Study (IS), Negative Declaration (ND), or Environmental Impact Report (EIR).

• Prevent or minimize damage to the environment through development of project alternatives, mitigation measures, and mitigation monitoring.

• Disclose to the public the agency decision-making process utilized to approve discretionary projects through findings and statements of overriding consideration.

• Enhance public participation in the environmental review process through scoping meetings, public notice, public review, hearings, and the judicial process.

• Improve interagency coordination through early consultations, scoping meetings, notices of preparation, and State Clearinghouse review.

The complete CEQA Statute and Guidelines is available from the California National Resources Agency. CDFW’s CEQA review and compliance generally occurs at the regional office that serves the county where the project would take place. When a project spans multiple Regions, or would have statewide impacts, the Habitat Conservation Planning Branch (HCPB) in Sacramento coordinates CDFW’s CEQA review and compliance. HCPB also administers the CEQA filing fee program. Other branches of CDFW may be responsible for CEQA review and compliance when a project implements or substantially affects a Branch program.

Filing and Fees

Pursuant to Solano County Code section 2-44, any CEQA notices are to be filed the Solano County Clerk of the Board of Supervisors. The Clerk requires an original of Exemptions, Notice of Determinations and EIRs. Originals may be mailed to the clerk at the address below or be brought in to the Clerk’s office in person. If a file stamped copy is needed at the time of filing, an additional copy must be provided with the original. Filing fees for CEQA documents are collected at the time the documents are received by the Clerk for posting. Checks or money orders are accepted and must be made out to "County of Solano".

The Solano County Clerk of the Board’s Office is located at 675 Texas Street, Suite 6500, Fairfield, CA 94533. The phone number for the office is (707) 784-6100. Office hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday (closed for major holidays). Office hours and availability are subject to COVID-19 protocols - please call before visiting the office.

CDFW Fees:

CDFW imposes a filing fee to defray the costs of managing and protecting California’s vast fish and wildlife resources, including, but not limited to consulting with other public agencies, reviewing environmental documents, recommending mitigation measures, and developing monitoring programs (Fish & G. Code, § 711.4). The filing fee will be waived, however, if CDFW determines the project will have no effect on fish and wildlife and issues a “No Effect Determination.” The list of CDFW’s CEQA Environmental Document Filing Fees are available on the CDFW website. The fees change in January of each year.

County Processing Fee:

The Solano County Clerk of the Board’s Office is required to post environmental documents for 30 days. There is a $50 clerk processing fee for posting of these documents. The Clerk’s office cannot file or post environmental documents without the proper fee.